The India Against Corruption (IAC) has joined the protestsagainst the 9,990 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Park (JNPP) project in theRatnagiri district of coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra.The IAC activistsare being led by Anjali Damania, who is one of those who has brought theirrigation scam to light.
“Various activists, social organizations and citizens livingin the area, have voiced their concern and protested against commissioning thePlant, disaster management, citing health hazard and environmental degradation.Continuing with this project may prove disastrous as it affects humans, animalsand pollute river and marine life,” IAC spokesperson Preeti S Menon said.
It may be recalled that that on September last, IAC founderand anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal had visited Kudunkulam in TamilNadu and expressed solidarity with those opposing the nuclear power plantthere.
The Janhit Seva Samiti-Madban, Konkan Bachao Samiti, KonkanVinashkari Prakalpavirodhi Samiti, Maharashtra Macchimar KrutiSamiti-Ratnagiri, Ratnagiri Zilla Jagruk Manch and Madban-Mithgavne-JaitapurPanchkrosh Sangarsh Samiti are mainly carrying out the protests in Jaitapur,besides Shiv Sena. Greenpeace too has voiced its opposition to the project.
“The IAC if it joins actively and constantly campaignagainst the project, it would make a difference,” said an activist, who hasbeen involved in the protests since the anti-Jaitapur nuclear power plantcampaign started.
The plant, using the European Pressurised Reactor technologyimported from French company Areva, will utilise 938 hectare of land in fivevillages and would displace 2335 families in the region.
In Nov 2010, the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh hadgranted environmental clearance to the JNPP, which would consist of six unitsof 1650 MW, after imposing 35 specific conditions and safeguards. The ministerhad boasted that the clearance was granted in a record 80 days after the NPCILsubmitted the environment impact assessment report.
